1983 H34 Main AC Circuit Breaker Replacement

[SabreToothedEngineer]

I want to replace the main AC circuit breaker in my early vintage ('83) Hunter 34. The existing one occasionally breaks the circuit (Note: it doesn't trip, it simply stops transmitting power). I can usually toggle it back and forth a couple of times and it will come back. Once I had to unplug shore power and plug it back in to get it to come back. It is clear to me it's failing and needs to be replaced.

The problem is that it is a double pole breaker with 30A on each side, but there is only a single toggle. All the ones I can find either in local chandleries or online have a double toggle, but there is no hole in my panel for a second one, and I'm more than a little reluctant to have to drill one, as I'd have to basically remove all the breakers to do it.

The first photo attached shows the front of the panel, with the culprit at the top right. The second shows the double breaker behind that. The neutral incoming wire is in front (white) with the hot behind (black). I have no idea what caused the arc marks on the neutral line going to the neutral bus, but there is nothing there now to cause it. I'll replace that bit of wire when I replace the breaker.

Anybody know where you can buy such a thing?

 

[Terry Cox]

Likely made by Paneltronics, which is where Hunter obtained panels for many of their models including ours. Different model boat and ours is a 1991. Purchased parts from them before. Try here: http://www.bing.com/shop?q=paneltro...&originIGUID=E4A43AC2512C43A7A1095C6BBCE5AD8C

 

[kloudie1]

The breaker on the panel is made by Airpax.. This is as close as I found:
https://www.peerlesselectronics.com...ax/iulhk11-1reg4r-64f-30-0-01-circuit-breaker
It has stud connectors instead of screws..
If ya took the model number and searched, ya might find one.. Carefully drilling for a dual gang handle may be in order.. ??

 

[sailor420]

I recently had to replace ours on our 420. Yours may not be the same but the original we had was an airpax UPG666-27824-1, 3 pole 30 amp with reverse polarity circuit with white middle switch.
Get a hold of Custom Marine Services, cmsquick.com. Give them the part# of yours and they should be able to fix you up. They deal in all types of breakers.

 

[SabreToothedEngineer]

Thanks, guys. The original panel was made by Bass Products out of Marblehead, MA. The model number on it was 96-H34/36/37.
Surprisingly, they're still in business and while they no longer carry the original Airpax one (I found the exact model number - IPA-66-1-30.0-01; very similar to what Kloudie found, but with a round opening for the toggle instead of rectangular), they have one by Carling that costs 1/3 of what the Airpax one does. The only downside is that the toggle is white instead of black. Having the main breaker stand out doesn't seem like such a bad thing to me, however. Now to see if a wider search of Carling breakers turns up the same thing but with a black toggle.

 

[Phil D.]

I recently had a small short in the AC panel side of my '88 Hunter 37.5 and want to replace my main 30 Amp AC breaker. It looks just like the one in the picture at the top of this thread. I also contains the 5th terminal for the reverse polarity light /circuit that is clearly shown in the picture. I also see in that photo that its not being use. Does anyone know where to get a replacement for the Double Pole, Single throw 30 Amp AC breaker with one reverse polarity thermal?

Also, any thoughts about bypassing that reverse polarity circuit?

 

[SabreToothedEngineer]

I bought my replacement from Newark.com. There are a million variations on these things, so it's a pain to find exactly the right one. You're right that my boat doesn't use the fifth terminal as the reverse polarity indicator (in fact, I didn't know that's what that fifth terminal was), but it does have a reverse polarity light - which actually works, as I've tripped it once with a bad cable. You can see the light on the front photo of the panel. I believe it's just an LED wired between neutral and ground, but without physically going to the boat and pulling the panel off, I can't say that for sure.

 

[MFD]

Paneltronics: Electrical Panel Manufacturer

Manufacturer of custom electrical panels, power distribution panels, power distribution units, box-build assemblies, Electrical Panel Manufacturer and electrical distribution panel.

www.paneltronics.com

EDIT: Possibly this one?

 

[marcham]

Looks like standard blue seas A series breakers ??? If so.... just drill a hole... 5 minutes, cheap, easy fix.

 

[Phil D.]

Thanks for the reply Marcham. I think the difference is that my breaker contains a 5th terminal on the back that has three wires connected to if for a reverse polarity shutoff. I don't see any Blue Sea breakers with that feature.

 

[SabreToothedEngineer]

Since this came back around, I've looked some more and can't find one with that 5th terminal at all. It's hard enough to find one with a single toggle on a double-pole breaker. I think the answer is to separate those two functions, although if you do it doesn't protect you from reverse polarity, it just warns you about it. If it was built into the breaker, I imagine reverse polarity would trip it. On the other hand, there are precious few things that are polarity sensitive. I can't think of a single thing on my boat that I could plug in that would care.

 

[Phil D.]

Thanks for your reply. You are correct, the single terminal reverse polarity circuit breakers are simply not available any longer. I did find one with two reverse terminals but it does not fit easily within my given space. When I cut the wrong wire that started this whole problem, I assumed sourcing a new breaker would be fairly easy and a good thing to just because. This weekend I ended up replacing some damaged wire and terminal connectors and reusing the old breaker. Again, I never was sure it was bad in the first place. I just thought it would be a good idea. All my power test went well and everything seems to be working fine now. I did find a company that can rebuild breakers and am waiting to hear back from them if this one is rebuildable and if so a cost / time quote. Even though everything is working now, It's be good info to know for the possible future.